Questions: A generic Lewis structure is given where Y represents the central atom and the outer atoms are represented by X. The outer atoms are not necessarily all the same element. Which compound is represented by the generic Lewis structure? HClO3 CHF3 SF4 XeF4

A generic Lewis structure is given where Y represents the central atom and the outer atoms are represented by X. The outer atoms are not necessarily all the same element.

Which compound is represented by the generic Lewis structure?
HClO3
CHF3
SF4
XeF4

Transcript text: A generic Lewis structure is given where Y represents the central atom and the outer atoms are represented by X . The outer atoms are not necessarily all the same element. Which compound is represented by the generic Lewis structure? $\mathrm{HClO}_{3}$ $\mathrm{CHF}_{3}$ $\mathrm{SF}_{4}$ $\mathrm{XeF}_{4}$

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Analyzing the generic Lewis structure

The generic Lewis structure shows a central atom Y bonded to four outer atoms X. Each X atom has six valence electrons, satisfying the octet rule with the bond to the central atom Y.

Step 2: Analyzing the options

We need to find a compound where the central atom has four bonds and potentially some lone pairs.

HClO₃: Chlorine (Cl) is the central atom. It forms a double bond with one oxygen, a single bond with another oxygen with an H attached, and a single bond with the third oxygen. This gives it three bonds, not four.
CHF₃: Carbon (C) is the central atom. It forms single bonds with three fluorine (F) atoms and one hydrogen (H) atom. This structure matches the generic one given.
SF₄: Sulfur (S) can have an expanded octet. It forms four bonds with four fluorine (F) atoms and has one lone pair. This gives it five electron domains (4 bonds + 1 lone pair).
XeF₄: Xenon (Xe) also has an expanded octet. It forms four bonds with four fluorine (F) atoms and has two lone pairs. This gives it six electron domains (4 bonds + 2 lone pairs).